The Captain's Verses
by Pablo Neruda
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Read in December, 2007
I first read this collection in 2005 and failed to bring a copy with me to Scotland. It took but a month for to give in and buy the British edition. This is the only Neruda poetry I own and while I have read and re-read most of the poems in here, still I find myself needing to read them over and again. The Captain's Verses were written for Matilde Urrutia, who would eventually become Neruda's 3rd wife. At the time of the publication, however, the work was released anonymously out of respect for ...more
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Read in June, 1999
This is one of Neruda's collections of love poetry, as opposed to his political work. It was my first reading of Neruda's writing, and I was floored. At nineteen, I wasn't big on love poetry because I found it maudlin. But, the poems of The Captain's Verses seem like they can be spoken by a man without a significant reduction in masculinity.
The edition I have presents the Spanish version on one page, and the English translation on the facing page. Even with my meager Spanish skills,...more
The edition I have presents the Spanish version on one page, and the English translation on the facing page. Even with my meager Spanish skills,...more
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1 comments
I love Neruda, but will someone please make an announcement that his poems aren't really appropriate to be read in wedding ceremonies? (Unless the groom is a philandering possessive romantic, which probably shouldn't come out at the wedding, anyway.) And while spreading the word about Neruda, please mention that black and white are both inappropriate dress colors for guests (and mothers of the bride or groom, for that matter).
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Hard to review Neruda - you must experience it. I love Neruda because he is so eloquent describing the most mundane of things in a beautiful and sensual way. Poetry is especially appealing to me when I get too busy at work and do not have time to indulge in a book. It only takes minutes to read a good poem and get transported away for a few lovely minutes - Neruda is the master of that.
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Really the most beautiful use of language in the twentieth century (apologies to yeats). I got a lot of comfort just out of the sounds of the words as I read them - the meaning was almost secondary. If you're going somewhere to unplug or de-stress, this is the one to take with you.
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Shakespeare seems intellectual compared to Neruda. When you read Shakespeare, you are in a public place, possibly glanced at approvingly for your efforts. When you read Neruda, you have imagined yourself in the corner of a room evesdropping on him, hoping he won't notice you.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
lovers and activists
Neruda's verse shows a soul committed to loving the world even as he is angered by its injustices. this book was written during his exile and therefore inspired by contemporary politics and also the refuge he found in his scenic surroundings and his lovely Matilde.
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recommends it for:
lovers
Honestly I prefer Neruda's contemplative and political poetry, but his romance work is definitely top-shelf. I think this is best for the lovers living in sin, definitely, since I think this is before he married his beloved Matilde.
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The greatest collection of love poems since Shakespeare's sonnets? I haven't come across a better one. "Your Hands," "Your Feet," "The Insect," and "The Queen" are a few of my favorites. Some of them do get a little steamy.
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Read in September, 2007
Neruda's diamond sharp words perfectly express his love for his wife and country. I read the English/Spanish dual language version which helped me both learn a little Spanish and enriched my reading of the translation.
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love love all of his poetry. he combines the most perfect words to create the most gorgeous images. this is definitely one of my favorite collections of his poetry.
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A classic volume of love poems. While they get flowery and over-the-top at points, there's no denying their power. Neruda is a master of the form.
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Read in January, 2004
I love, love this book. Pablo Neruda evokes romance even when writing his saddest lines. This is not a sad book, this is a great one.
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the most beautiful love poetry you can find, in my opinion. "If You Forget Me" is my all-time favorite poem.
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Read in October, 2002
Some of the best love poems available. Honestly some pretty dope stuff if you're looking for romance.
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Read in July, 2005
I like Neruda when he's political... I like him even better when he's naughty!
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Neruda is my favorite poet, and this is my favorite of his collections.
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Just beautiful. We used "Tus Manos" as a reading in our wedding.
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A favorite of mine was his poem about his beloved's feet.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.54 (422 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.47 (409 ratings) number of reviews: 32
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quote
"Yo te he nombrando reina.
Hay más altas que tú, más altas.
Hay más puras que tú, más puras.
Hay más bellas que tú, hay más bellas.
Ero tú eres la reina
Cuando vas por las calles
nadie te reconoce.
Nadie ve tú corona de cristal, nadie mira
la alfombra de oro rojo
que pisas cuando pasas,
la alfrombra que no existe.
Y cuando asomas
suenan todos los ríos
en mi cuerpo, sacuden
el cielo las campanas,
y un himno llena el mundo
Sóló tú y yo,
sóló tú y yo, amor mío,
lo escuchamos. "
more quotes »
